Game Prediction: The Sunflower Bowl - Iowa State Cyclones at Kansas Jayhawks
Iowa State prepared for today’s game with Kansas like it was a bowl game. I have decided to call the game The Sunflower Bowl, Kansas is the Sunflower state after all. Lawrence may not be the best bowl destination, but it sure beats Boise, ID. The temperature is expected to be around 60 degrees at kickoff and the University of Kansas has a beautiful campus.
The Cyclones have nothing to lose in this game, while the Jayhawks could lose everything. Could undefeated Kansas be looking ahead to Missouri, Oklahoma or even the national championship game? Many have already put this game in the win column for the Fighting Mangino’s.
Is there any reason to believe the Cyclones can pull off the upset? Absolutely.
If the Cyclones are going to win they will need to play all four quarters, they can’t spot Kansas a 14-0 lead like they did at Missouri or a 21-0 lead like they did last week to Colorado.
Here are my keys to a Cyclone victory:
1. ISU must rush for 120 or more yards as a team - The Cyclones started playing well when they inserted Alexander Robinson in at running back. He is the X factor. When he started breaking big runs defenses added an extra man in the box to stop him, which opened up the deep ball to Todd Blythe. Iowa State has ran the ball well the last three weeks against teams that defend the run well, but Kansas will be a stiffer test. The Jayhawks currently rank 7th nationally in rush defense.
2. ISU must convert 3rd downs, control the clock - Iowa State wants to keep the 10th ranked Jayhawk offense off the field as much as possible. The Cyclones have been excellent all year in winning the time-of-possession and converting third down opportunities.
3. ISU must win the turnover battle - This is probably the biggest hurdle for the Cyclones to overcome. Kansas leads the nation in turnover margin and Iowa State ranks 96th. ISU has done a much better job of late in this category, over the last four games the Cyclones are +4 in the turnover battle.
4. Play all three phases - The special teams unit must show up big in this game. Kansas has the top ranked kickoff return unit in the country led by returner Marcus Herford. Iowa State will have a much better chance of pulling off the upset if they can win the battle of the special teams.
Kansas has won their home games by an average score of 58-12. I expect Iowa State to give the Jayhawks their first test at home. The Cyclones will leave everything on the field in their final game of the season.
Game Prediction:
Kansas 31
Iowa State 24
Iowa State seniors Bret Meyer, Todd Blythe and Alvin “Ace” Bowen deserve to end their careers with a win. Here is to hoping they can upset the Jayhawks and bring home The Sunflower Bowl trophy.
Final 2007 Iowa State Football Game - Thank You Seniors!
Game Prediction:
Iowa State 27
Colorado 21
Saturday will be the last home game for 18 Cyclone senior football players. We put together a photo gallery of our favorite pictures of these outstanding young men.
Thanks for the memories!
Photo Gallery: Iowa State Cyclones Seniors
Prediction: November Win for the Cyclones?
Iowa State will look to get back on the winning track this week with a home game against the Kansas State Wildcats. The Cyclones have continued to improve throughout the season and I look for coach Chizik to pick up his first Big 12 win this weekend.
If the Cyclones are going to win, the offense and defense will need to overcome an inept special teams. Kansas State has one of the top special teams units in the nation and appear to have a huge advantage. It is time for the ISU coaches to take off the training wheels and allow our specialists to perform.
Saturday’s Stars:
QB Bret Meyer
WR Marquis Hamilton
CB Allen Bell
Prediction:
Iowa State Cyclones 28
Kansas State Wildcats 24
Iowa State Cyclones - Oklahoma Sooners Prediction
The Cyclones haven’t played well for all 60 minutes in any game in 2007 and I don’t expect that to change this week. Iowa State was clearly overmatched by Texas last weekend and Oklahoma has more talent than the Longhorns. ISU will need a near perfect performance to stay in this game. I really hope I am wrong, but it could get ugly.
Game Prediction: Oklahoma 63 Iowa State 10
Despite the bleak outlook on the game, I am really looking forward to getting to Ames. Why?Tailgating, great weather, college football and the hope for a huge upset.
The Iowa State football team is struggling, but I have faith things are going to turn around sooner rather than later. Why? Recruiting
The Cyclones will be hosting a gaggle of top rated visitors from the class of 2008 tomorrow. The following is a list of potential visitors for the game.
Verbal Commits
QB Jerome Tiller - Robert E. Lee High School (San Antonio, TX)
TE Carter Bykowski - Eden Prairie High School (Eden Prairie, MN)
DE Jake McDonough - Valley High School (West Des Moines, IA)
DE Tracy Robertson - Lamar High School (Houston, TX)
ATH Dustin Land - Milton High School (Milton, FL)
Prospects
DE Kraig Bates - Centerville High School (Centerville, TX)
DE David Bedford - Independence Community College (Independence, KS)
DE Doran Guillory - Kelly High School (Beaumont, TX)
CB Terran Benton - Summit High School (Mansfield, TX)
LB Ben Durbin - Gilbert High School (Gilbert, IA)
RB Joe Johnson - Valley High School (West Des Moines, IA)
K Grant Mahoney - Linn-Mar High School (Marion, IA)
OT Christian Molina - Countryside High School (Clearwater, FL)
OT Cedric Mack - El Camino Community College (Torrance, CA)
Iowa State football will also be hosting a number of top rated sophomores and juniors from all across the Midlands.
Cyclone basketball is less than a month away. Are you as excited as I am for the season to get here? The Iowa State coaches will be hosting three visitors from Randolph, Wisconsin on Saturday including Kyle Kelm who has an ISU offer.
C/F 6′8 Sophomore Kyle Kelm
G 6′1 Sophomore Zach Reuter
G 6′1 Junior Tyler Tillema
See you all at the game! Go Cyclones!
Iowa State Cyclones - Texas Longhorns Prediction
Iowa State will face Texas on Saturday. The Cyclones and Longhorns both hope to put an end to losing streaks. Gene Chizik will face his old team for the first time, in an experience that he termed would be “weird”.
The Cyclones best chance to move the ball on offense will be through the air. Texas has done a nice job of stopping the run, but has been susceptible to the pass. Texas will look to throw the ball as well. Colt McCoy broke out as a freshman last year against the Cyclones and he should have his opportunities again Saturday. Iowa State and Texas have two of the worst turnover margins in college football. The Cyclones must win the turnover battle to win this game. ISU must also do a better job on special teams. Texas has had pretty solid special teams play this season, Iowa State has not.
Keys to an Iowa State victory:
1. Win the turnover battle
2. Solid special teams play
3. Explosive plays on offense
Prediction: Texas 31 Iowa State 21
Iowa State Players of the Game:
QB Bret Meyer / WR Todd Blythe - I expect a good day for the two Cyclone seniors
LB Alvin Bowen - the leader of the defense wants this win badly
Football Visitors:
CB Jarret Ben (Garland, TX)
CB Marcus Cromartie (Mansfield, TX)
WR Darius Darks (Pflugerville, TX)
OT Jared Edwards (Mansfield, TX)
CB Michael Thomas (Houston, TX)
CB Demetrius Williamson (Port Orange, FL)
K Eddie Carmona (Holmes Community College, MS)
DE Jake McDonough (West Des Moines, IA)
Basketball Visitors:
SF Harrison Barnes (Ames, IA)
PG Dominique Buckley (Detroit, MI)
PF Jordan Dykstra (Rock Valley, IA)
SG Wes Eikmeier (Fremont, NE)
